Official statements from U.S. government agencies such as the Department of Justice or Department of State

Chinese Hackers Compromise U.S. Officials' Phone Lines in Salt Typhoon, Ensnaring Thousands of Contacts

Nov 5, 2024, 10:05 PM

Chinese hackers have reportedly compromised phone lines used by U.S. national security and policy officials, enabling extensive spying that likely ensnared thousands of contacts. The hacking group, linked to Beijing, executed precision strikes to infiltrate communications infrastructure, allowing them to study the workings of America's communication systems without detection. Sources indicate that while the hackers had the capability to access phone data of virtually any American customer of the affected carriers, they focused their efforts on a select group of high-value political and national-security figures. The breach highlights significant vulnerabilities in U.S. communications and raises concerns about the implications for national security.